Lila & I.

My husband & I enjoying a hike in the Peak District.

ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Naomi Bellshaw MA, a force-free dog trainer based in Knutsford, Cheshire. I’m married to Matthew and we share our lives with our dog, Lila.

I hold a Level 3 Qualification in Canine Behaviour from the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT), Platinum Level Certification from the Academy of Dog Training and Behaviour (ADTB), and Professional Dog Walking Certification from the Modern Dog Walkers Association (MDWA).

My journey into dog training hasn’t been the most straightforward. My academic background is in Economics and Social Sciences, and I graduated with a First Class Master of Arts degree in 2020. However, my love of dogs began long before that.

I got my first puppy—a gorgeous Patterdale Terrier—at just six years old, and I’ve owned several dogs since, including rescue dogs. Like many owners, I’ve experienced first-hand the challenges that come with behavioural issues, which has shaped both my empathy and my approach as a trainer.

Since establishing Five Senses in 2022, I’ve led puppy classes, walked and trained countless dogs, and had the privilege of seeing the lives of dogs and their owners change for the better. I now specialise in puppy development and assistance dog training, supporting dogs and their handlers during some of the most important stages of learning.

I’m passionate about using modern, science-based training methods to continually expand my knowledge of canine behaviour and to help owners build positive, trusting relationships with their dogs.

I am also Canine First Aid Certified (Level 2 VTQ), DBS checked (enhanced), and fully insured with Protectivity to walk and train dogs. All paperwork is available to view on request.

APPROVED DOG TRAINER (ADUK)

I am proud to be an Approved Trainer at Dog Aid. Dog Aid is a charity which helps people with physical disabilities train their own pet dogs to provide assistance with day-to-day tasks.

ASSISTANCE DOG SPECIALIST

I am a qualified Assistance Dog Specialist with the Dog Training College (DTC).

ASSISTANCE DOG TRAINING PROVIDER

Five Senses Dog Training is listed on the CATE UK website as a training provider for Assistance Dogs.

OTHER QUALIFICAITONS 

I am committed to continually developing my professional skills and knowledge through ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and have completed a range of webinars and training courses in recent years, including:

  • Understanding and working with Canine Behaviour - Learning, Motivation and Reinforcement - IMDT
  • Puppies and the Professional Dog Walker - IMDT
  • Working With Noise Sensitivity - IMDT
  • Separation Anxiety - IMDT
  • Breed and Predatory Motor patterns - IMDT
  • Professional Dog Walking Certification - MDWA
  • Assistance Dog Specialist - The Dog Training College
  • Canine Nutrition - The Dog Training College
  • Adolescence - The Dog Training College
  • Understanding the Use of Assistance Dogs as a Tactic of Domestic Abuse - ADUK
  • The Effect of Nutrition on Behaviour & Training with Alyssa Ralph 
  • Wags without Walks: A Guide to Home Canine Enrichment with Laura Carter IMDT
  • Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs), Awareness in Assistance Dog Training & Public Access Work - Dog AID
  • Don't Eat That! Force-Free Anti-Scavenging Training, with Simone Muller MA
  • Pain. Can you see it? - Dog AID
  • Reactivity with Tom Mitchell

This list is non-exhaustive. I regularly invest in further education to ensure my training remains ethical, up to date, and firmly rooted in the latest science and best practice in canine behaviour and learning theory.

DOG GALLERY

Some of the lovely dogs I've had the pleasure of walking, sitting and/or training.

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